July 16, 2003

In an interview with Belgian television, Lotto-Domo directeur sportif [Marc Sergeant] commented on the team’s state of affairs, saying that Robbie McEwen’s cold is getting better, but McEwen’s faithful lieutenant Nick Gates is still coughing, and Leon Van Bon is suffering from blocked sinuses as a result of some kind of allergy.

The team’s orders remain clear, however. “McEwen has to go in every sprint, even if it’s for tenth place!” Sergeant said. “For sure he’ll have to try to win the intermediate sprint on Thursday. McEwen has one tough opponent in his battle for green, that’s Baden Cooke. He’s leading with nine points.” Zabel is in third position and has 28 points less than Cooke, posing less of a concern for Sergeant. “The tour is only a success when you take a jersey or win a stage,” he said. “Until now McEwen wore the jersey for five days; let’s say it’s a bandage on the wound.

Despite the 3rd-category climb on Thursday, I think we’ll see 3 sprints, at the 2 intermediates and the finish line.